The tire flew across the median of I-85, hitting the minivan.
The NSRB reports that wheel separation from 18-wheelers is fairly uncommon.
GASTON COUNTY -- What police are calling a ‘freak accident’ is something that is happening more often than one would hope. Saturday, a tire flew off a tractor trailer, and into the path of another vehicle.
Police say the incident happened around 5 p.m. on Interstate 85. The tire flew across the median on the Gaston County stretch of road, hitting the minivan that 19-year old James Street was driving along with 16-year old Kanesha Moise.
"I noticed something bounce over the wall … [and] I tried to swerve,” said Street. “When it hit, I stopped the car, and looked over and my little cousin was dead.” Two other family members were also injured.
Truck drivers say this type of accident is hard to avoid, but all too common.
Truck drivers say this type of accident is hard to avoid, but all too common. According to the National safety Board, in the past two years there have been 389,000 semi truck accidents on U.S. roads. More than 1,000 of them were a result of a tire coming off.
Police say Bennie Golden Turner, Jr. was the driver of the tractor trailer, owned by Mitchell Brothers Moving in Greensboro. The district attorney will decide if any charges will be filed.